How does a couple of geotech holes in a half-hearted and half-abandoned "drilling program" supposed to enhance the value? Or for that matter not represent optimization work?

This is probably a question that was best asked in 2013, but this is what they said at the time:

The Schaft Creek Joint Venture intends to approve a Phase I, 2013 summer program aimed at increasing the value of the Schaft Creek project. The objective of the drill program is to test the extension to the east of the mineralization in the Paramount Zone and to collect additional geotechnical information for ongoing pit slope stability studies.

Optimization work is a term that appears to be used specifically for the work this year:

Teck Resources Limited ("Teck") as operator of the Schaft Creek Joint Venture has recommended a comprehensive series of studies to review all aspects (including metallurgical, pit slope design, geological modelling and environmental) of the Schaft Creek project. The objective is to review all data collected on the Schaft Creek project to the end of 2013 to update and optimize various parameters of the project.